The Best Rail Journeys In The World

The Best Rail Journeys In The World Travelling shouldn’t just be about the destination, but the journey itself, and you won’t find much better than the rail journeys that voyage between mountain ranges, cruise past gorgeous crystal lakes and cross seamlessly from one country to another. Not only are you awarded with beautiful landscapes and exceptional views, there can be huge benefits of travelling by rail, whether it be the baggage allowance, effortless input or spectacular service. So sit back, relax, and let us take you through the best rail journeys in the world.

Bernina Express

If there’s anything more picturesque than the ride from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy on the Bernina Express, we are yet to find it. Crossing the majestic Alps, travelling gently through the alpine region of Albula and soaring 2,253 metres above sea level, you can feel the mountain air on your skin as you leave Switzerland and enter Italy. As you meander over the viaducts, stop at idyllic stations and take in the breathtaking view from Alp Grüm, Bernina’s UNESCO World Heritage title will become clear. A second-class one-way ticket from Chur to Tirano costs CHF60 ($70AUD – double for a return and seat reservation is extra) and can be booked at www.rhb.ch. If you want to continue the journey to Lugano, you can do so on board the Bernina Express Bus from Tirano, during which you can look out at famous Lake Como.

Adirondack

From the bright lights of New York City to the contemporary design of Montreal, jump on the Adirondack route in the morning for beautiful scenes of the Hudson Valley, the colonial history of Saratoga Springs and the lakes and mountains of Adirondack Park. Explore the literary history of Irvington, named after Washington Irving who wrote The Legend Of Sleep Hollow, and view the waterfalls of Glens Falls and the Little Grand Canyon of The East in Port Kent. Enter Canada from Rouses Point, cross the St Lawrence River on the Victoria Jubilee Bridge, once the longest in the world, and arrive at Montreal before sundown. With an abundance of history often overlooked and untouched areas of parkland and nature reserves, you will be just as inspired as the authors, poets, painters and story-tellers. A one-way ticket from New York Penn Station to Montreal costs from $67 US ($70AUD) and can be bought from amtrak.com.

Best Rail Journeys In The World The Blue Train

Embark on the return journey from Pretoria to Cape Town on The Blue Train for the most stunning scenery of South Africa. During this 27-hour ride across nearly 1000 miles, you will experience the beauty of the area by day and night, with waterfalls, blooming flowers and wildlife before a stop in Kimberley to learn about the days of the diamond rush. The following day, a stop in Matjiesfontein provides a tour of Victorian buildings complete with original 19th century London lampposts! Arrive in Cape Town beneath Table Mountain and explore the bustling South African metropolis. With its luxurious suites and lounges and five-star dining, you can expect to pay at least $1,570AUD one-way, so get your ticket from www.bluetrain.co.za.

The Ghan

We can’t do a collection of the best railway journeys in the world without including The Ghan! Not only does it run through the outback of Australia, the 1,852-mile journey travels from the rolling hills of Adelaide to the tropical city of Darwin, and has done for the past 80 years. With stops in Alice Springs and Katherine, and views of the barren yet extraordinary landscape of the Red Centre, this incredible journey can be made complete with additional activities including a tour of aboriginal art, a cruise of Nitmiluk Gorge and a helicopter ride above the waterfalls, canyons and mountains on the north! You can opt for the red, platinum or gold service depending on your budget, but you’ll capture the same inspiring views and the odd kangaroo whatever you pay!

Best Rail Journeys In The World PeruRail to Machu Picchu

Best Rail Journeys In The World A few times a day, a train runs to and from the capital city of the Inca Empire, Cuzco, to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Known as The Lost City Of The Incas, it is one of the most famous architectural sites in the world and an example of extraordinary craftsmanship at a staggering 2,350 metres above sea level. The three-hour trip takes you through the rainforest-covered mountains of the Andes and the height of the clouds to below, where Machu Picchu is believed to have stood since the 15th century, but was not discovered until 1911. As the site is in fact lower than Cuzco, the temperature increases by a few degrees as you wind around the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River.